He fought the tears back manfully, in a way that set the Padre marveling at his courage.
After a moment he continued his interrogation.
“What’s your name?” he asked.
“Buck,” came the frank response.
“Buck—what?”
“Buck—jest plain, mister.”
“But your father’s name—what was that?”
“Pop.”
“Yes, yes. That’s what you called him. What did the folks call him?”
“Ther’ wa’an’t no folks. Jest pop, an’ ma, an’ me.”